General Herbert, however, for such he speedily became, at the head of his division, soon arrested the attention, and commanded the respect, of Europe.  To his exertions the successful result of the struggle was, in a great measure, attributed; and he received the thanks of Congress, of which he became a member.  His military and political reputation exercised a beneficial influence upon his literary fame.  His works were reprinted in America, and translated into French, and published at Geneva and Basle, whence they were surreptitiously introduced into France.  The Whigs, who had become very factious, and nearly revolutionary, during the American war, suddenly became proud of their countryman, whom a new world hailed as a deliverer, and Paris declared to be a great poet and an illustrious philosopher.  His writings became fashionable, especially among the young; numerous editions of them appeared, and in time it was discovered that Herbert was now not only openly read, and enthusiastically admired, but had founded a school.

The struggle with America ceased about the time of Lord Cadurcis’ last visit to Cherbury, when, from his indignant lips, Venetia first learnt the enormities of her father’s career.  Since that period some three years had elapsed until we introduced our readers to the boudoir of Lady Monteagle.  During this period, among the Whigs and their partisans the literary fame of Herbert had arisen and become established.  How they have passed in regard to Lady Annabel Herbert and her daughter, on the one hand, and Lord Cadurcis himself on the other, we will endeavour to ascertain in the following chapter.

CHAPTER III.

From the last departure of Lord Cadurcis from Cherbury, the health of Venetia again declined.  The truth is, she brooded in solitude over her strange lot, until her nerves became relaxed by intense reverie and suppressed feeling.  The attention of a mother so wrapt up in her child as Lady Annabel, was soon attracted to the increasing languor of our heroine, whose eye each day seemed to grow less bright, and her graceful form less lithe and active.  No longer, fond of the sun and breeze as a beautiful bird, was Venetia seen, as heretofore, glancing in the garden, or bounding over the lawns; too often might she be found reclining on the couch, in spite of all the temptations of the spring; while her temper, once so singularly sweet that it seemed there was not in the world a word that could ruffle it, and which required so keenly and responded so quickly to sympathy, became reserved, if not absolutely sullen, or at times even captious and fretful.

This change in the appearance and demeanour of her daughter filled Lady Annabel with anxiety and alarm.  In vain she expressed to Venetia her conviction of her indisposition; but Venetia, though her altered habits confirmed the suspicion, and authorised the inquiry of her parent, persisted ever in asserting that she had no ailment.  Her old medical attendant was, however, consulted, and, being perplexed with the case, he recommended change of air.  Lady Annabel then consulted Dr. Masham, and he gave his opinion in favour of change of air for one reason:  and that was, that it would bring with it what he had long considered Venetia to stand in need of, and that was change of life.